Kuala Lampur, March 23 -- Malaysia assumes the Asean Chairmanship in 2025, a crucial opportunity to influence regional policies on two pressing issues: the Rohingya crisis and the South China Sea dispute.

Putrajaya's ability to address these challenges will define its leadership and Asean's future credibility.

The Rohingya crisis: A humanitarian test

The Rohingya crisis remains a dire humanitarian issue, with over a million refugees displaced, mostly in Bangladesh. Asean's response has been criticised for its slow and ineffective approach, largely due to its non-interference principle.

Malaysia has historically been vocal about the Rohingya plight. In 2016, then-Prime Minister Najib Razak condemned Myanmar's actions as "genocide". Mor...